9-Day Great Migration Calving Season Safari

Day-by-day itinerary

Route: Arusha → Ngorongoro Highlands → Ndutu / Southern Serengeti → Central Serengeti → Ngorongoro Crater → Arusha

1. Day 1

   Arusha to Ngorongoro Highlands

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Arusha for the drive to Ngorongoro Highlands, climbing the forested crater highlands to the rim viewpoint. Lunch and check-in come first, then an afternoon drive through a collapsed volcanic caldera roughly six hundred metres deep, with grassland, soda lake and fever-tree forest on its floor. There is the possibility of seeing lion, elephant, buffalo, flamingo and one of the few remaining populations where black rhino may be seen, depending on movement and conditions on the day. The crater floor holds a resident concentration of wildlife year-round because the caldera walls create a largely self-contained ecosystem. This is a joining departure, so the safari vehicle is shared with other guests. Dinner is served at your Ngorongoro Highlands camp or lodge, where you spend the night.

2. Day 2

   Arusha to Ngorongoro Highlands

   Breakfast is taken before you set out from Arusha for the drive to Ngorongoro Highlands, climbing the forested crater highlands to the rim viewpoint. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across a collapsed volcanic caldera roughly six hundred metres deep, with grassland, soda lake and fever-tree forest on its floor. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes lion, elephant, buffalo, flamingo and one of the few remaining populations where black rhino may be seen. The crater floor holds a resident concentration of wildlife year-round because the caldera walls create a largely self-contained ecosystem. You return for dinner and an overnight stay at Ngorongoro Highlands.

3. Day 3

   Highlands to Ndutu / Southern Serengeti

   Following an early breakfast, the day begins with the road transfer from Highlands to Ndutu / Southern Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descending onto the open plains. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. There is the possibility of seeing lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra, depending on movement and conditions on the day. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. The evening is spent at your Ndutu / Southern Serengeti accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

4. Day 4

   Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

   Following an early breakfast, the day begins with the road transfer from Central Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater, climbing the forested crater highlands to the rim viewpoint. Once you reach Ngorongoro Crater there is time to check in before heading out among a collapsed volcanic caldera roughly six hundred metres deep, with grassland, soda lake and fever-tree forest on its floor. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes lion, elephant, buffalo, flamingo and one of the few remaining populations where black rhino may be seen. The crater floor holds a resident concentration of wildlife year-round because the caldera walls create a largely self-contained ecosystem. The evening is spent at your Ngorongoro Crater accommodation, with dinner and overnight there.

5. Day 5

   Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha

   Following an early breakfast, the day begins with the road transfer from Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha, continuing through the farmland and Maasai country below Mount Meru. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across northern Tanzania's safari gateway town below the slopes of Mount Meru. Arusha is the staging point for the northern Tanzania circuit and where most safari briefings take place. Dinner is served at your Arusha camp or lodge, where you spend the night.

6. Day 6

   Southern to Central Serengeti

   After breakfast you leave Southern and travel on toward Central Serengeti, crossing the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and descending onto the open plains. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across vast short-grass plains broken by granite kopjes and seasonal watercourses. Wildlife commonly associated with this area includes lion, cheetah, elephant, giraffe and immense herds of wildebeest and zebra. The Serengeti's wildlife moves with the seasons, so the sector visited is chosen to match where the herds and predators are likely to be at that time of year. Dinner and overnight are at your camp or lodge in Central Serengeti.

7. Day 7

   Full-Day Arusha Safari

   Today is spent entirely in Arusha, beginning with a game drive shortly after first light. You travel through northern Tanzania's safari gateway town below the slopes of Mount Meru, working the areas your guide judges most productive on the day. Arusha is the staging point for the northern Tanzania circuit and where most safari briefings take place. Lunch is either taken back at camp or carried as a picnic so you can stay out longer. The evening returns you to your Arusha accommodation for dinner and overnight.

8. Day 8

   Serengeti to Ngorongoro Crater

   The morning starts in Serengeti, from where you continue overland to Ngorongoro Crater, climbing the forested crater highlands to the rim viewpoint. You arrive in time to settle in, and the day continues with a game drive across a collapsed volcanic caldera roughly six hundred metres deep, with grassland, soda lake and fever-tree forest on its floor. Look for lion, elephant, buffalo, flamingo and one of the few remaining populations where black rhino may be seen as the light softens through the afternoon. The crater floor holds a resident concentration of wildlife year-round because the caldera walls create a largely self-contained ecosystem. You return for dinner and an overnight stay at Ngorongoro Crater.

9. Day 9

   Ngorongoro Highlands to Arusha

   After breakfast you leave Ngorongoro Highlands and travel on toward Arusha, continuing through the farmland and Maasai country below Mount Meru. Arrival is followed by check-in and a first drive into northern Tanzania's safari gateway town below the slopes of Mount Meru. Arusha is the staging point for the northern Tanzania circuit and where most safari briefings take place. Arrival back is normally in the afternoon, with a drop-off at your hotel or the airport.